MILWAUKEE -- At some point, Jordan Morgan had to tell Bacari Alexander to shut up.

Alexander, Michigan's loquacious assistant coach and big man mentor, had spent the better part of Friday and Saturday morning wearing out his senior center about Texas' Cameron Ridley.

Ridley was 285 pounds. Morgan's only 240. Ridley was a McDonald's All-American. Morgan was barely all-state.

On and on he went. Wearing Morgan out about how, once again, he was being viewed as Michigan's weak spot in a big-time game on the national stage.

Until, of course, Morgan had heard enough.

"I was spearheading the Ridley cheerleading team," Alexander smiled Saturday. "And at one of the team meals, he said 'enough of that, coach.' "

Morgan had, once again, heard just about all he was going to be able to stand about how he wouldn't be good enough to compete in the paint with a bigger, stronger -- in most eyes -- better basketball player.

It's become the story of his career. His battle cry and his anthem. So when he was asked if he felt a little disrespected entering Saturday's game, he didn't blink.

"A little bit?" he asked rhetorically.

On Saturday in Milwaukee, the Jordan Morgan Redemption Tour made yet stop, this time resulting in a 15-point, 10-rebound performance against one of the most physical teams in the NCAA tournament and one of the largest human beings in the country as the Wolverines stopped Texas, 79-65, to move on to the Sweet 16.

Texas had plenty of success on the glass -- outrebounding Michigan 41-30 -- but Ridley had just 6 points and nine rebounds. Nowhere near as effective as most believed he'd be in this game.

All day Friday, Morgan had to answer questions about how the Wolverines were going to limit Texas' massive center. One after another. And with each question, Morgan's focus elevated.

"I ain't got a lot of body fat on me, there's been a lot of weights lifted over my five years here," he said. "I'm not about to just roll over."

So on Saturday, Morgan did a bit of everything. He spent a better part of the first half forcing Ridley to chase him all over the court. Chase him on ball screens, chase him back on the fast break. Five minutes into the game, Morgan looked fresh, Ridley looked exhausted.

And when things began to slow, and Morgan was forced to defend him on the block, he more than held his own -- drawing an offensive foul at one point during a one-on-one matchup.

He finished at the rim, he hit his foul shots. He even managed to complete a layup while being intentionally fouled on a breakaway.

Morgan was as emotional as he's been at any point all season, including the team's senior day at the Crisler Center earlier this month. And when it was all over, and Michigan subbed him out for the final time, he was still letting everyone know about it.

He pumped his fists to the Michigan crowd behind the team bench. Got in assistant coach LaVall Jordan's face and let him know he meant what he said when he told his team he would be just fine vs. Texas on Saturday, and then finished up by head-butting sophomore Mitch McGary right in the chest.

"I'll take him down a dark alley with me any day," Alexander said afterward.

The game was another chapter in a long-developing tale of perseverance for Morgan throughout the season.

Basically benched during the team's run to the Final Four last season, Morgan has only gotten better as the year has gone on -- and he's easily playing the best basketball of his career during its waning moments.

And, more importantly, Michigan would not be where it is at the moment without his improvement.

"In this game last year (in the third round against VCU), he didn't play, and he couldn't have been lower in his life," Michigan coach John Beilein said. "He spent his summer dedicated to this. The trip he took to Africa was a huge part of his life, getting his mind together on what's really important in life.

"And we wouldn't be in the position we are without that man. Jordan Morgan. Our captain."

Whether Michigan's NCAA tournament run ends in defeat or victory in the coming days or weeks, Morgan will likely exit his college basketball career with zero regrets.

He's come full circle as a player, and has clearly given every ounce he has to Michigan's program.

But for now, moving into the second part of his adult life with a clear and peaceful mind can wait.